You know those classic cowboy movies, most of which don’t take place in mountainous terrain but in vast, flat expanses? Those regions are often called the Midwest. Within this area lies the state of Wisconsin, which gave birth to its first thrash metal band, Num Skull, in 1985. Just to be clear, I mean the first thrash band from that region…
Being overlooked and buried in the dusty pages of history is the fate of many bands, especially in the thrash metal scene. But Num Skull, still active today, made their mark with their debut album Ritually Abused — a brutal thrash metal classic that presents creativity through its dark concept, grim lyrics, and extremely captivating riffs.
Tracklist:
The End
Ritually Abused
Death and Innocence
No Morals
Friday's Child
Off With Your Head
The Henchman
Pirate's Night
Turn of a Screw
Kiss Me, Kill Me
Rigor Mortis
Murder by the Minister
I called the general sound brutal thrash because the music is razor-sharp, but that’s not all — I must also mention the maddening violence and noise that define it. Each track is packed with wild assaults and carries a unique character and memorability. These guys have brilliantly channeled their technical intelligence into their music. The guitars rip with lightning-fast riffs that feel vicious, evil, yet strangely entertaining. The drums add solid weight and fullness to the sound, and the drummer’s blast beat performances are a rarity among thrash bands of that era.
All that intensity is crowned by fierce, screaming vocals that sound like they’re tearing loose. Despite being a U.S. band, the vocals lean more toward the style of German thrash. This is musical terror incarnate — with their violence-driven music, they manage to craft a truly frightening and menacing atmosphere. You can’t deny the death metal influences here, most apparent in the drumming.
The album kicks off with a bizarre 19-second intro titled "The End," featuring overlapping mysterious spoken voices and a whispered “The End is near.” Then "Ritually Abused" starts at mid-tempo with highly memorable riffs, launching into an onslaught typical of thrash bands — a storm brewing. The song features violent tempo changes and a crazed, shredding solo, making it one of the album’s favorites. Vocally, you might catch hints of Tom Angelripper. As for the lyrics, dark is an understatement; they delve into sick, devilish thoughts.
"Death and Innocence" begins cautiously before speeding up, with drums, vocals, and guitars galloping ahead in relentless fury. The riffs are fast, and the vocals aggressively match this pace. The riffs at the start of "Friday's Child" have a distinctive flavor — fast-paced all the way through with a wildly aggressive solo in the middle that scratches at your skull. "Off With Your Head" alternates between calm and aggressive tempos, featuring vocals that scream their lungs out, with typical thrash vocal effects. The lyrics challenge, punish, and spill blood.
Another favorite, "Turn of a Screw," delivers some of the most aggressive work on the album. The drums are rock-solid, pounding and destroying everything in their path, while the hateful vocals focus on pure speed. During the section where vocals and solos climb together, it feels like they lose balance and control — adrenaline hits an incredible high.
If you’re looking for an album that breaks away from the natural state of American thrash and offers a more distinctive character, Ritually Abused is exactly that. A music packed with violence and cruelty combined with disturbing, hellish lyrics sums up this album perfectly. Definitely get your hands on it!